Virginia Beach Mayor William D. Sessoms, Jr., and Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim, among other community leaders, were on hand to celebrate the next steps in bringing this development to fruition and the continuing efforts to end homelessness in the region.

“Crescent Square will serve as a beacon of hope for many and will help move us closer to our goal of ending homelessness in Virginia Beach and our region,” Mayor Sessoms said. “Virginia Supportive Housing has been an incredible partner in the efforts to end homelessness and we look forward to many opportunities to work together again in the future.”

Crescent Square is a partnership between the cities of Virginia Beach and Norfolk. The development was approved by the Virginia Beach City Council on Feb. 26, 2013. The City of Virginia Beach contributed $876,000 in federal HOME funds towards the total development cost of $10.4 million. The city’s Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation will also provide ongoing rental subsidies using federal funds for 32 residents at Crescent Square.

Crescent Square will be a 53,000-square-foot apartment community housing 80 individuals, including 42 single adults with permanent supportive housing and 38 single adults with low-income housing. Each unit is approximately 366 square feet and contains a kitchenette with full refrigerator, range oven, full bathroom and closet.

Furnishings are provided in each apartment, including a bed, dresser, table and two chairs. In addition to apartments, the building has a community room with a kitchen, fitness area, computer room, laundry facility, front desk and staff offices. Eight units are

accessible for single adults with disabilities. The front desk will be staffed 16 hours per day, and a resident manager on call in the evenings. The building also features an extensive security system, off-street parking and access to public transportation. Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2015.

Crescent Square will boast an impressive set of energy-efficient features as well. It will incorporate a photo-voltaic solar electric system designed to reduce the building's energy load and a solar thermal water heater system. Crescent Square will be an EarthCraftVirginia-certified green building, resource- and energy-efficient home. All appliances will be Energy Star rated.

Crescent Square will be the fifth permanent supportive housing development in South Hampton Roads, following Gosnold Apartments in Norfolk, Cloverleaf Apartments in Virginia Beach, South Bay Apartments in Portsmouth and Heron’s Landing in Chesapeake. All four developments were the result of a regional partnership among South Hampton Roads cities. Each complex was developed by Virginia Supportive Housing and provides 60 units of permanent supportive housing for previously homeless individuals. The completion of Crescent Square will bring the total of permanent supportive housing units in the region to 282.

For more information, please contact Andrew Friedman, director of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation, at (757) 385-5752.